Shopping for Medicare Supplemental Insurance Coverage in Texas

Medicare is a government program while private insurance companies supply Texas Medicare supplement plans. Although being private enterprises, they are still heavily regulated by Federal and state laws to ensure adequate protection for patients.

As the Medicare program will only cover regular doctor visits and some hospitalization, it does not provide for copayments, prescriptions, coinsurance, some procedures, or deductibles.

The Texas Medicare supplement insurance policies can help to bridge the gap left by Medicare coverage. Once you turn 65, you have what is called an Open Enrollment Period. If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and have joined a Medigap plan within six months, the insurance company is required by law to give you coverage. So, be sure to enroll in a supplemental plan as soon as you can.
Due to the regulation by Federal and state laws, all insurance companies must offer the same benefits on each policy over all 50 states. However, this does not mean that all plans are available in all states.
In total there are 19 plans available, which are identified by the letters A through to N. Some policies have been dropped for new enrollees, which includes policies E, H, I, and J, but those with existing policies can continue to benefit from them.

Currently, Texas insurance companies are offering the plans A, B, C, D, F and G, and K through N.
State and Federal laws do not regulate the cost of Medigap coverage so costs can vary significantly among providers. Insurance companies are permitted to offer all ten available Medigap policies to seniors in Texas, as well as others who qualify for Medicare.

There also additional laws to ensure companies also offer insurance to every qualified senior while disregarding any and all pre-existing conditions.